I have to confess, Jerry, that I have not checked the water in the battery until today. All the batteries in my other vehicles these past years have been sealed. Kinda got out of the groove, so to speak! Just bought the battery for my '55 6mos ago and did not even notice that it was not maintainance free. Only was down a little, altho I could see metal above the water level. Topped it off, and will try to check it monthly from now on! The voltmeter working when the ignition switch is off is still bothering me, is it drawing current?